Foto via Team Giant
John Degenkolb gewinnt seine zweite Etappe bei der La Vuelta
Der Etappengewinn ist Johns siebter Etappengewinn bisher bei der Vuelta und markiert damit seinen siebten Saisonsieg. Um Degenkolb in die Lage zu versetzen, die Etappe zu gewinnnen, musste die Mannschaft schon wieder ein Hindernis überwinden, heute in der Form von Seitenwind und keilförmigen Formationen. Sie sind jedoch gut damit zurechtgekommen, haben ihn geschütz und sichergestellt, dass Warren Barguil (FRA) wieder in die erste Gruppe zurückgeholt wurde.
John erklärt: „Die Jungs arbeiteten hart nach der Teilung, mit der sie Warren wieder zurückgeholt hatten, und Tobias hat auch uns den ganzen Tag mitgezogen und war dann vor Ort in der führenden Abteilung um uns vor dem Wind zu schützen bis zum Anstieg. Am Ende haben wir aus der Situation das Beste gemacht mit nur drei von uns. Warren brachte uns in Stellung, aber, nachdem Keon nach vorne stieß, musste ich improvisieren nachdem ich eine Kurve fast verpasst hatte. Ich verlor den Kontakt und musste die Lücke schließen, aber glücklicherweise war ich noch stark genug um zu sprinten. Das Atmosphere ist jetzt sehr entspannt und das ist gut nicht für das Selbstvertrauen nicht nur von mir sondern auch für die Mannschaft. Ich freue mich darauf, Warren morgen zu helfen und ihn in die beste Stellung zu bringen für einen Abschluß, der steil und hart sein wird. Da werden die Rollen vertauscht: ich hole die Flaschen und das Eis für die Jungs.“

„The guys worked hard today when it split to bring Warren back up to the front and also Tobias pulled all day then was in the front split to keep us out of the wind until the climb. „At the end we made the best out of the situation with just three of us. Warren put us in position but after Koen launched I had to improvise after nearly missing a corner. I lost the wheel and had to close the gap but luckily I was strong enough to still sprint.
„The atmosphere is very relaxed now and it’s good not just for mine but also the team’s confidence.
„I’m looking forward now to helping Warren tomorrow and getting him in the best position for what will be a steep, hard finish. It will be role reversal, me getting bottles and ice for the guys.“
„It was nice and calm to start with but then when the race split it was a bit unexpected and I didn’t move up in time to make the first split.
„The guys did a great job to bring me back to the front group and I have to thank them for that.
„At the finish I positioned John and Koen as planned for the sprint and then made sure that I didn’t lose any time.
„The legs are getting better and better. With the hardest stages in the second and third weeks I should be in good shape there.“

Lionel Marie (FRA)
„The team did another great job today and didn’t panic when it got nervous. When Warren was in the second group the guys worked well together to bring him back to the front.

„Tobias did a strong job riding on the front most of the day then keeping the guys out of the wind until the last hill again.

„The spirit in the team is really good and the young guys are adapting well to the rhythm of a Grand Tour. Tomorrow will be a hard race but Warren is looking good and with good support we will get him into the best position.“

Koen De Kort (NED)
„I had a bit of a funny feeling before the crosswinds that something was going to happen. There was a slight crosswind all day. I wasn’t too far up though but saw John ahead and as soon as I could I rode up to him and held him out of the wind. Tobias was still there too and rode strong to make sure we were out of the wind to the climb.

„Warren missed the split but the other guys worked hard and got him back to the front. Coming into the finish it was Warren, John and I so we had to stay calm with only three of us.

„Warren put us in position then I waited before going with around 800m to go. I felt real good and looked around at one point and thought I had pulled away but the intention was to help John and it’s great for us to get another stage.“